She had flown before, or at least experienced a sensation similar to this. As part of their training, Amazons learned to float on currents of air, drifting like autumn leaves as their bodies subconsciously twisted to breast the winds, like wide-winged eagles gliding through the air. But this was true flight, the invigorating, unexplainable feeling of floating through the clouds at speeds unmatched by any mortal aircraft, perfectly in control of your airborne motions. This was the gift granted to her by the golden sandals that adorned her feet, twisting upward around her boots. They had adapted to the form of her crimson footwear, molding to create something resembling a golden athletic sole on her high-heeled boots. Pearly wings were attached around the ankles, fluttering as Diana whirled about in her sky dancing.

The sandals were a gift from Artemis*, but due to recent adventuring and general state of busyness, Diana had not had the opportunity to use them. Now that she did, she was unable to fathom why her mother had not worn them everyday of her own stint as Wonder Woman, back in the Forties. According to Hippolyta, she preferred to rely on herself. She claimed that if Aphrodite wanted Amazons to fly, she would have given them wings. The Amazon Queen had only used the sandals for long-distance travel, and even then was never very good at using them. Diana's newfound philosophy was that if Aphrodite did not want the Amazons to fly, she would have prevented Hermes from giving them his spare sandals.

*(see issue 11, the Christmas Special, for details - Kevin)

Dipping forward, Diana swooped swiftly out of the sky, a blur of crimson, gold, and a spark of sapphire. She tore downward like a falling comet, whirling over the ocean. She could move this quickly without the sandals, but running and flight were two very different sensations. Glancing at the position of the glowing sun and the shadows of the few houses below her, Diana guessed that it was nearing noon. Almost time for her lunch date with Callista and Ororo. The Princess of the Amazons twisted again, turning back towards her adopted home in the mansion of Callista Domaine.

Her cheeks red from flight, Diana ran into her room, a whirlwind of motion as she reluctantly put the sandals back into their ornate case. Pulling the Mask of Proteus from her girdle, she placed it upon her face. Sparks of electric blue energy wrapped around the Amazon as the ancient mask contorted to fit her visage. In seconds, she appeared as Diana Prince, clad in the last outfit she had worn, a scarlet bikini that covered less than her infamous costume did; she and Callista had been swimming at the Y's indoor pool.

At lightning speed, she transformed into a scarlet T-shirt emblazoned with the interwoven W's, a new fad for women, and dark jeans. She piled her brownish hair atop her head, allowing a few wispy strands to frame her face. Stylish sunglasses and sandals completed the look. Glancing at the mirror, Diana approved her appearance. As Diana Prince she was slimmer, more petite, and far less intimidating than Princess Diana of Paradise Island. Her natural, regal beauty was replaced by a look that could only be described as cute.

She leapt down the stairs, where she saw Callista, wearing a white T-shirt, jeans, and a sweater tied around her tiny waist, standing, clicking her heeled shoes impatiently.

"God, where is she?" Callista griped. "Too bad time-keeping isn't one of her Amazon powers!"

Cupid's bow lips turned upward into a mischievous grin. Nanoseconds later, and the publisher found herself whisked into the air, born aloft by incredible strength.

"Aaahhh!" Callista twisted, her training in martial arts and gymnastics allowing her to land smoothly on her shining kitchen floor. She whirled about, eyes narrowed. "Never. Do. That. Again."

Diana laughed. "Oh come on, Calli! Learn to take a joke!"

"If you learn to act your age," she replied, rolling her eyes. "You ready?"

"Yes! Let's go!"

The flush of a toilet preceded Ororo's entrance into the room. She wore another one of her brightly dyed dresses, a scarf pulling her snowy tresses from her face.

"I am ready." The three women walked towards Callista's garage, purses filled and stomachs empty, and minds sure that those situations would be reversed by the end of the outing.

<"Quick! This way!"> a voice hissed in the ancient tongue spoken by citizens of the island of Themyscira. A blur bounced across the clay shingles of Callista's three-story home. When it stopped, the swift moving intruder was revealed to be a wiry woman, short auburn hair framing a determined face. She was muscled from a lifetime of labor, and clad in a strange top that resembled the top of a skimpy bathing suit that revealed her well-toned midriff, and a white skirt that fluttered in the breeze. Between her breasts was situated a small pendant, upon which a golden symbol was embossed; a heart-shaped caduceus, ribbons twisting elegantly around the wand that had become the symbol of modern medicine. A short, sheathed blade bounced at her hip, and silver bracelets were clamped around her wrists. Oddly enough, small wings sprouted from her bare ankles.

Another woman landed nearby, this one a buxom blonde, clad identically except that she had a long, coiled rope swinging from her waist. Three more descended to join their comrades; a towering maiden with African features and armed with an axe, a lovely Hispanic warrior wielding a javelin, and a girl that resembled an actress from Indian cinema clutching a bow, a quiver of arrows hanging from her back. All three were clad in the same bizarre costume.

<"We're right behind you, Orana,"> the blonde replied. She floated down onto balcony, reaching her slim fingers towards the shining glass doors.

<"Take care, Penelope,"> the woman of Indian features warned the blonde as she watched her African comrade scale the bleached-white wall with ease. <"This mortal has armed her abode with innumerable manmade abominations!">

<"Worry not, Olympia, Man's technology is no match for an Amazon!"> the flaxen-curled maid crowed as she opened the shining doors smoothly. <"In fact, it's you and Anaya that should take heed! 'Tis your duty to warn us of Princess Diana's approach!">

Anaya, the Hispanic warrior, twirled her javelin. <"Do you see anything, Aella?"> She pulled out an elegantly curved device, a remote control-like gadget. She pressed a button, and the Domaine Mansion was engulfed in a blackout.

The Indian Amazon shook her head, as her superhumanly keen eyes scanned the surrounding area. Her mind reached out, touching those of the rest of the band of Amazons. <"No . . . but still, I am unnerved. If we are caught, who knows how the Princess may punish us?">

<"Then we shan't be caught,"> Anaya replied.

This does not appear to be the Princess's room, Penelope thought. It must be her comrade, Callista's. By Aphrodite! Look at all of those garments! I could live in that closet!

Penelope walked over to the vanity, picking up a tube of sparkling lip-gloss. How intriguing! I have heard about these cosmetics, but never actually seen them! But I have a duty . . . Yet, I do wish to learn about the outside world. Aella will congratulate me for attempting to study this culture. Orana and Mhyrra will have better luck in the other rooms.

She slowly applied the lip-gloss.

A stoic, dark-skinned woman, her supple sinews rippling underneath glistening ebony skin as she walked through the sweltering desert, tall frame rippled by the waves of heat. She was beautiful and wise beyond her years, the High Priestess of the strongest and most prosperous tribe on the Serengeti. Mhyrra felt tears swell up in her dark eyes as she remembered that proud sorceress, and their love before the Goddesses forced their retreat to Paradise Island.

<"Oh Akilah, I miss you so!"> Mhyrra was shocked by the overwhelming emotions that flooded her psyche. It appears Eros's arrow has not removed itself from my bosom yet! Akilah is long dead . . . yet why can I not forget her?

A bed lay tucked into the corner, large and inviting, and a desk laden with perfumes and cosmetics native to Paradise Island stood across from it. A painting of Queen Hippolyta, General Antiope, and two Amazons that Orana recognized as Euboea and Mala, Diana's best friends, hung on the wall. Tunics, gowns, togas, sarongs, halter-tops and clothing from the outside world lay scattered across the floor. Jewelry from both worlds littered the desk. Orana raised an eyebrow.

If this the state of the Princess Diana's quarters in Themyscira, woe betide her housekeepers!

The auburn-haired Amazon slunk quietly across the room, her bare feet making not even a whisper against the ivory colored carpet. She walked to the closet and pulled it open.

She has more clothes? One would think she has every garment scattered across the room! Hmmm . . . Orana spied an ornate wooden box placed next to several shoes, sandals, and boots. Kneeling down, she opened its lid, and revealed the Sandals of Hermes!

<"And it seems that this dwelling's defense systems have a back up system! Tell them to get out now! We must not be caught!">

"It's my security system, someone's trying to break in!" she cried. With that, the three women rushed from the mall.

The baritone voice of the robot dully echoed through the hallway. Mhyrra glanced upward, eyes wide, as the machine approached, moving fluidly despite its weight. It was sleek and feminine in shape, but eight feet tall. Its navy exoskeleton shone in the bright overhead lamp, and twin red eyes glared at the Amazon that stood before it.

"Hello there," Mhyrra replied in strongly accented English. She aimed a swift sidekick kick to the robot's chest, sending it teetering backward. Placing her hands on her hips, she glared disdainfully at the staggering robot. "Ha! And I thought Man invented threatening machines!"

Suddenly, a burst of plasma energy lanced from the upraised palm of the robot. Raising its other hand, it launched a fusillade of blinding energy blasts towards the surprised warrior. Mhyrra moved like lightning, deflecting the searing blasts with her bracelets. They bounced back, peppering the robot. It was forced backward, smoke rising from its once smooth skin. With a war cry, Mhyrra flipped over the machine. Quickly, she removed the pendant from between her breasts and launched it at the robot. With a shower of sparks it separated mechanical head from mechanical body, and the once formidable mechanism crumpled to the ground. Mhyrra knelt to retrieve her pendant, but the sounds of more robots came from the hallway.

Cursing in Themysciran, Mhyrra left her pendant and flew out the window, zipping through the air to join her teammates.

Callista's explanation aptly described the state of her home, or at least the highest story of it. Very little had been destroyed, actually, that could not be easily replaced. Her robotic security guards lay strewn about each room. One had been decapitated in Ororo's room, three were found slashed apart in Diana's room, and one had been pummeled into bolts in Callista's room. Also, her make-up was in a horrendous state as well.

"Suffering Sappho! The Sandals of Hermes, they've been stolen!" Diana cried, shifting through the wreckage to find that her precious artifacts were gone.

"And my security cameras were shut off by an outside source," Callista replied, walking into the room. "So we can't figure out who did this."

The door was pressed open as Ororo walked in, a small object in her hand. "I found this near the headless robot in my room. Does this rune mean anything to either of you?"

"It's that hospital sign," Callista said. It was a glittering pendant, a heart-shaped caduceus displayed prominently on the front.

"It's the symbol of the Cult of Hermesia," Diana explained, obviously puzzled. "They are a group of Amazons who follow the daughter of Lord Hermes and Iris, Hera's personal messenger. But I still don't understand what they want with the sandals!"

Smacking her fist into her palm, Callista spoke up. "This is no time to puzzle over that . . . We can't let them get away with this!"

Diana nodded. "An Amazon can only leave Paradise Island for three days without losing her immortality, unless Aphrodite bids her to do so. I assume that the Amazons have staked out a temporary residence here, and will most likely meet with Hermesia before returning to Themyscira. We have very little time. For all we know, they may leave tomorrow, or even tonight. We must find them quickly. I suspect that whoever dropped this pendant will return for it, which is when we shall strike."